Sunday 3rd January 2010

Second Sunday of Christmas

First Reading : Ecclesiasticus 24: 1-2,8-12
The wisdom of God has pitched her tent among the chosen people.

Second Reading: Ephesians 1: 3-6.15-18
May God give you a spirit of wisdom and perception.

Gospel: John 1: 1-18
The word was made flesh, and lived among us.

Reflection

The book of Genesis tells us that when God spoke, the world was created. “Let there be light – and there was light”. The Gospel of John echoes this when we read through the word of God all things came to be. The Word of God is creative and life-giving and brings light out of darkness. The Word was made flesh in the person of Jesus, and lived among us. He spoke the message of eternal life and we hear to this day his words of compassion, truth and love.

May the words we speak also be words that are creative and life-giving; words of faith, hope and love that truly reflect the glory, grace and truth of God’s eternal Word. “O Lord, open my lips and my tongue shall announce your praise”.

REV BRIAN DONNELLY PP
Tel 028 816 71393
patrick.doherty@derrydiocese.org

REV COLM O’DOHERTY CC
Tel 028 816 61475
07786115471 (emergencies only)
c.odoherty@btinternet.com

NEIGHBOURING PRIESTS:
Fr K Mullan 82 831225 Fr J Gilmore 816 70728

Parish website: www.castledergparish.com
Derry Diocesan website: www.derrydiocese.org
Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre: www.catecheticalcentre.org
Irish Bishops’ Conference: www.catholicbishops.ie

SUNDAY MASSES:

DREGISH 10.00AM, DRUMNABEY 11.30AM

‘The Word became flesh and dwelt among us’

John introduces us to the great themes of his Gospel, that Jesus stands for life, light, truth, witness, the world and God’s glory. Those who accept Jesus and his message are given, by God, the power to become his children.

FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY:

Wednesday of this week, 6th January, is the Feast of the Epiphany and is a Holy Day of Obligation. Masses as on Sundays.

MASS SCHEDULE FOR THIS WEEK

DRUMNABEY: Monday 10.00am, Wednesday 11.30am, Thursday 7.30pm

DREGISH; Wednesday 10.00am, Friday 7.30pm

THANK YOU for your generosity in last week’s collection:
Dregish £203, Drumnabey £222.

VISITATION OF THE SICK AND HOUSEBOUND

Fr O’Doherty will visit the sick and housebound this week, on Thursday in the Drumnabey area and on Friday in Dregish. If there is anyone who is not currently on the Sick Visitation list and would like me to call on a monthly basis, please let me know.

CHURCH DUTIES ROTA – Readings, Offertory Gifts, Cleaning & Flowers: Thank you to the Gamble Park area for last month’s duties in Drumnabey and the Glassmullagh / Lisnacreight area in Dregish. This month, the Erganagh, Listymore and Oakland area is on duty in Drumnabey, and the Envagh / Leglands area in Dregish.

CONFIRMATION in our parish this year will be administered by Bishop Lagan, on Sunday 7th March, at 11.00am in St Patrick’s Church, Castlederg.

FOUNDATIONS IN LITURGY

A 12-week Liturgy Course will be held in Sion Mills Parish Centre, starting on Tue 19 January 2010, from 7.30 – 9.30pm. This course is designed to foster an understanding of the richness of the liturgy of the church, examining core elements and symbols of our ritual and worship. The course is led by the Thornhill Centre. Cost, £100, can be paid in instalments. For further details, contact the Thornhill Centre on 7135 1233.

USED STAMPS

Please remember to bring your Christmas used stamps to the church. There are boxes at the back of our churches in which to place them.

DERRY DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES 2010: The Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage, led by Bishop Hegarty, will take place from 16th July - 21st July. Cost £629, inclusive of flights, full board hotel, airport taxes, insurance, coach transfers. Fares may be paid by any number of instalments. Booking forms available from the Pilgrimage Office, tel 7126 0293. Opening hours Tue, Thurs and Sat 11.am – 1pm. Special facilities are available for the sick. Full details can be obtained from the Pilgrimage Office.

To our young people: if you would like to be a member of the Diocesan Lourdes Youth Team, which accompanies those who are in need, please contact the Pilgrimage Office.

25 CARD PLAY in the clubrooms tomorrow night, and every Monday night, commencing at 8.30pm sharp. All support greatly appreciated.

PLEASE NOTE: Notices for the parish bulletin are welcome; however, they need to be with Fr O’Doherty by Thursday afternoon at the latest, for inclusion.